Just before Jesus was arrested and killed, He bent down and washed the feet of His disciples. Peter was adamant to have the Lord wash his feet but Jesus told him that “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). Why did Jesus wash the feets of His disciples? In ancient Israel, washing of feets (because of the untarred roads) was the duty of the least servant in the house. Thus, Jesus demonstrated to His disciples that to be His follower demands a servant-attitude towards one another. It is not about being bullied or belittled, but the willingness to serve one another in love. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:15). We have been called to be like Christ and Jesus himself stated that, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”(John 13:15). In Christ, service to one another is done in love. Christian leaders are expected to have servant-leadership. Christians are expected to have the same attitude of humility that Christ demonstrated. Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:13-15). Christlikeness includes demonstrating the attitude of humility. Paul writing to the Philippian church stated that “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8). Jesus’ humility did not go unacknowledged. Paul continued to exult the Philippian church that because of the humility demonstrated by Jesus, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). The way to get to the top is by going down. May we humble ourselves as we aim to be like Christ. Never pray that God should humble you. You can find out from Nebuchadnezzar. We have to humble ourselves before we will be lifted up by the Lord. To know more about humility, I recommend our book on Humility to you. Am I Humble? Understanding the Meaning and Nature of Humility Michael Agronah and Mary Agronah You can get a copy on Amazon.
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